Help please, oil coming from all over the shop

[Bailey]

Hi there, went to drive my car (e30 325i cab) and when i pressed the clutch in, the pedal felt like it wasnt really doing much... after a few minutes scratching my head, i realised that there wasnt any fluid in the header tank for the clutch. (with me so far?)
i filled the header tank up with fluid but by the morning it had leaked out onto my drive... It appears to be coming from around the bell housing (at the bottom).. Now, am i right in thinking that its proberbly the slave cylinder that has gone? Does the gear box have to come out? If so, any advice on the best way?

heres a picture of where i think its leaking from (if it helps)
http://myspace-391.vo.llnwd.net/00799/1 ... 2391_m.jpg

Theres also another leak, coming from the 'output shaft?' near the rubber coupling on the propshaft. I'm assuming that this doesnt really have much to do with the clutch, but with this in mind, would it make sense to drop the box, and do the clutch and this leak at the same time?

Again, heres a picture of the offending area
http://myspace-476.vo.llnwd.net/00799/6 ... 8476_m.jpg

right, well i think thats all for today
Thanks! Guy.

[Chris-W]

Slave cylinder has gone - easy to change. Two nuts & a brake nut, plus something to clamp the flexi, or hold the clutch pedal down.

[ed325i]

The output shaft oil seal can be changed with the box in the car you will need a very thin walled socket for output shaft nut.

ED

[Brianmoooore]

I would recommend changing the clutch master cylinder as well as it often fails as well within a couple of weeks. Something to do with the seal in the master cylinder going slightly further into the bore than it normally does because of no back pressure on it.
There's no major advantage in doing the rear seal at the same time. Only thing you'll duplicate is the two nuts holding the slave.
Sure it's coming from the rear shaft seal. The selector shaft seal directly above tends to leak as well.

[Bailey]

thanks you guys, looks like i'll be getting my fingers dirty tonight then
if i have any more probs, i know who to ask! cheers. Guy.

[oze30]

is it hard to do the main seal?

[Rich25i]

Hi

I will back up Brian on the slave and master cylinder thing. it was only a 4 day gap till i had to do it all again

[H35-IAN]

I would recommend changing the clutch master cylinder as well as it often fails as well within a couple of weeks. Something to do with the seal in the master cylinder going slightly further into the bore than it normally does because of no back pressure on it.
There's no major advantage in doing the rear seal at the same time. Only thing you'll duplicate is the two nuts holding the slave.
Sure it's coming from the rear shaft seal. The selector shaft seal directly above tends to leak as well.

yup i will second that mate as previous experience proves this 100% everytime lol

[Bailey]

hello, i'm back again,

just hoping i took the right thing off
http://myspace-171.vo.llnwd.net/00802/1 ... 5171_m.jpg

managed to get one ordered for £17 quid, and the master for £29. dont think thats too bad!

Again, cheers for the advice, spot on!

[Brianmoooore]

hello, i'm back again,

just hoping i took the right thing off
http://myspace-171.vo.llnwd.net/00802/1 ... 5171_m.jpg

!

That's the slave cylinder, but it should have a pushrod sticking out of it.

[Aziz]

I would recommend changing the clutch master cylinder as well as it often fails as well within a couple of weeks. Something to do with the seal in the master cylinder going slightly further into the bore than it normally does because of no back pressure on it.
There's no major advantage in doing the rear seal at the same time. Only thing you'll duplicate is the two nuts holding the slave.
Sure it's coming from the rear shaft seal. The selector shaft seal directly above tends to leak as well.

Hi

where it the master cylinder located and what does it look like.

Is it a straight forward replacement old for new

[Brianmoooore]

Most of the M/C is inside the car, attached to the pedal box above the clutch pedal. Straight forward replacement, as long as you don't mind working upside down.

[Bailey]

hi there, yea the push rod fell off and i didnt push it back in the cylinder when i took the pic.... Right, i've got the bits now anyway, so with any look, i'll have my car back on the road before the sun goes down

[Bailey]

hello, just a quicky this time... just fitted the new slave, but how the hell does the old master come off? i know theres two bolts holding it to the bracket, but cant figure out if there 12 or 13mm, (maybe some other size perhaps?) Is there an easier way to remove it with these still attached? please help!! Or should i get an old ring spanner and get some heat on it and bend it to suit? Cheers, Guy...

[Chris-W]

They're 13mm i seem to recall. And sadly, they're just a pain to get to!

Whip your front seat out tomake it easier on you.

[Bailey]

blimey, that was quick! o.k, the seats coming out right now!! thanks!

[Bailey]

finally sorted, thanks for all your help guys.... oh, and for the record, the bolts were 10mm .. it only took me about 30mins to find out mind you

[Chris-W]

Sorry - so many bolts, so little memory.....